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From 1977 to 1991, Johnson succeeded Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones (1905-1982) as the Grambling president. He soon embarked on a 10-point plan to improve the historically black institution located in Grambling in Lincoln Parish just west of [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]], During his tenure, the Grambling enrollment doubled, faculty salaries increased, and the buildings and grounds were upgraded. He expanded communication with alumni. He was president of Talladega College from 1991 to 1998, at which he launched reforms similar to those he had undertaken at Grambling, including increased enrollment and corporate, foundation, and federal support for the school.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thenewsstar/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-benjamin-johnson&pid=187744810|title=Dr. Joseph Benjamin Johnson obituary|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=January 6, 2018|accessdate=February 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arklatexhomepage.com/news/top-stories/gsus-3rd-president-dr-joseph-johnson-passes-away/899381600|title=GSU's 3rd President, Dr. Joseph Johnson, passes away|publisher=Arklatexhomepage.com|author=Nikki Henderson|date=January 3, 2018|accessdate=February 7, 2018}}</ref>

From 1977 to 1991, Johnson succeeded Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones (1905-1982) as the Grambling president. He soon embarked on a 10-point plan to improve the historically black institution located in Grambling in Lincoln Parish just west of [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]], During his tenure, the Grambling enrollment doubled, faculty salaries increased, and the buildings and grounds were upgraded. He expanded communication with alumni. He was president of Talladega College from 1991 to 1998, at which he launched reforms similar to those he had undertaken at Grambling, including increased enrollment and corporate, foundation, and federal support for the school.<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thenewsstar/obituary.aspx?n=joseph-benjamin-johnson&pid=187744810|title=Dr. Joseph Benjamin Johnson obituary|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=January 6, 2018|accessdate=February 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.arklatexhomepage.com/news/top-stories/gsus-3rd-president-dr-joseph-johnson-passes-away/899381600|title=GSU's 3rd President, Dr. Joseph Johnson, passes away|publisher=Arklatexhomepage.com|author=Nikki Henderson|date=January 3, 2018|accessdate=February 7, 2018}}</ref>

Johnson worked at Grambling to enhance the funding of new degree programs accredited by state and national rating agencies. He was active in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities , the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, and the Office for the Advancement of the Public Negro Colleges. He received an honorary doctorate from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, [[Michigan]], Gandhigram University of  [[India]] and Grambling. He received the "Tree of Life" award from the Jewish National Fund and the "Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award" from the University of Colorado. He was a recipient of the [[Thurgood Marshall]] Education Achievement Award and an inductee of the Grambling Legend Hall of Fame. He also held the honorary title of Grambling president-emeritus. He was a former trustee of the board of St. Mark American Methodist Episcopal Church in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]], where he lived during his retirement. <ref name=obit/>

Johnson worked at Grambling to enhance the funding of new degree programs accredited by state and national rating agencies. He was active in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, and the Office for the Advancement of the Public Negro Colleges. He received an honorary doctorate from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, [[Michigan]], Gandhigram University of  [[India]] and Grambling. He received the "Tree of Life" award from the Jewish National Fund and the "Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award" from the University of Colorado. He was a recipient of the [[Thurgood Marshall]] Education Achievement Award and an inductee of the Grambling Legend Hall of Fame. He also held the honorary title of Grambling president-emeritus. He was a former trustee of the board of St. Mark American Methodist Episcopal Church in [[Atlanta]], [[Georgia]], where he lived during his retirement.<ref name=obit/>

Johnson died at the age of eighty-three in Fayetteville, Georgia. He was predeceased by his wife, the former Lula Young, originally from Hammond. The couple had four children: Yolanda Johnson Dixon (husband James) of [[Baton Rouge]], Louisiana, Juliet Johnson of [[Nashville]], [[Tennessee]], Dr. Julie Johnson, of Atlanta, and Joseph B. Johnson, III (wife Karen) of Alexandria, [[Virginia]]. Services were held  at St. Mark A.M.E. Church. The place of interment was not announced. Johnson is honored at Grambling through the Joseph B. Johnson and Lula Young Johnson Scholarship.<ref name=obit/>

Johnson died at the age of eighty-three in Fayetteville, Georgia. He was predeceased by his wife, the former Lula Young, originally from Hammond. The couple had four children: Yolanda Johnson Dixon (husband James) of [[Baton Rouge]], Louisiana, Juliet Johnson of [[Nashville]], [[Tennessee]], Dr. Julie Johnson, of Atlanta, and Joseph B. Johnson, III (wife Karen) of Alexandria, [[Virginia]]. Services were held  at St. Mark A.M.E. Church. The place of interment was not announced. Johnson is honored at Grambling through the Joseph B. Johnson and Lula Young Johnson Scholarship.<ref name=obit/>